The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-12-15

EDITOR PloNEER:-1 shall be compelled to
answer Mr.. Michie's letters owing to the
False issues and mistatcments which they
contain. shall try to keep clear of calling
hard names and using abusive terms, in place
|of argument as think our critic has done.
The present board are called 'high paid
|incapables," making "egregious' blunders,
(as though the gentleman never made u
blander himself, thinking ourselves big
ger generals than U. s. Grant ever was'', etc.
Also charging me with using election clap
trap to rope in votes" and with taking inn
proper pay for my services to the county.
think will show that we are low paid, in
stead Of "high paid" before l am through,
compared with ehose who have preceded US.
AS to my election, every man who knows
anything about it, knows that was elected,
not because I sought the Office but because
the people chose to elect me. am charged
with taking improper pay for my services.
Mr. Niche says the Board had only twelve
meetings; I find from the records that there
were thirteen, and when l spoke to Mr..
NJ, about it, he said that was all we publish
ed, which was a charge against the, Clerk,
but one Of which feel snre he is not guilty.
My bill was for thirteen meetings of the
Board, one day for myself and team going
to Fish Lake as Commissioner Of the poor,
one day on committee work, and mileage,
making $4S. Mr.. Greiner is charged in like
manner, with taking pay for Strengthening
out his own books. Mr.. Greiner has not
asked or received one cent, though he is
rightcously entitled to pay, for aiding in
making out the financial statement first pub
lished. And in justice to Mr. Greiner must
say. that we owe more to him than to any
other official, for having any correct state:
ment OF the finances of this county. As to
that S95.17, regarding which so much has
been said and which we are charged with al-
lowing MIR. Greiner; the present Board had
no more to do with allowing it than they
did with allowing the cash payments made
to the County Commissioners, and others,
for which warrants were sold at q discount
to pay. We found in examining the books
that Mr.. G. had received $95.17 commission
for paying out money which the Board had
brought into the treasury by selling county
warrants. We found no voucher for the al
lowance. Mr.. Greiner stated that he charg-
ed 1t in his settlement with the County Com
missioners and they allowed it, by receiving
his settlement. Mr.. Cudhie also stated that
Mr.. Gagnon told him that it was so allowed
to MIR. G. Mr.. Rolfe, District Attorney, says
Mr.. g. had right to the money; and il he
has no legal right, wish to ask the rate
payers Of this county if he has not moral
right to it, The county borrowed that mon
~, Mr.. Greiner had to handle it and be re-
'ponsible for it. Task, would any gentle
man in this county say that he should han-
lie $2379 81. travel up to Bottineau dozens
II times to pay that money out, for uoth-
ng? Then remember, Mr.. G. was entitled |
9 1888 on school moneys that be did not
'eceive, which would leave only S7e,24 re
'eived by him for handling the money. Mr..
ireiner received in oil during his term Of
'tdoc only $l7l. The Examiner told me 9TH |
r Counties were in the habit Of voting their
[rcasurers something for handling borrowed
money, and say, no high minded man will
'sk public servant to render hard and rc-
ponsible service to the public for nothing.
will continue this letter next week.
T. TunyER